10 Do’s and Don’ts about Traveling to Havana, Cuba
/I’ve just recently come back from Havana, and what a wonderful place it was! From the warm weather to the delicious food, Havana is ready for your exploration.
Here are my 10 tips of some things to do and don’t do while visiting the island.
Don’t forget, if you have any additional questions, or want to book your own Cuba adventure, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at BTI, LLC. We can make sure that your trip complies with U.S. Treasury Department requirements and we will guarantee that you have a wonderful time in the “Pearl of the Antilles.”
Don’t- And this is a big don’t! Don’t bring any credit or debit cards to Cuba. Credit Cards are not widely accepted, and the local ATM’s will not help you much. When traveling to Cuba bring U.S. Dollars, Canadian Dollars or Euros. There is a wide selection of exchange houses in Havana that can change your Dollars for C.U.C (or Cuuks as they are pronounced locally). Some restaurants and bars will accept foreign currency, but you end up losing out on the conversion rate, so it’s best to exchange them for local currency.
Do- Try a “paladar,” or a privately-owned restaurant. These are tiny restaurants that can sometimes be in someone’s house, kitchen or backyard. Cuban government restrictions limit the size of these restaurants, so get ready for an intimate dining experience. My second night in Cuba, I ate at a restaurant that I’m sure was inside someone’s living room. The food was outstanding and the Mojito was one of the best I’ve ever had.
Do- Try out new foods! I know most of us have had Cuban food while in the United states. It might have been rice and beans, or maybe ropa vieja. While in Cuba, do try some of the more intricate dishes. At one restaurant, they served a shrimp dish inside a pineapple. You should also try the local rum “Havana Club” and a famous Cuban cigar.
Don’t – Expect everyone to speak English, or for there to be A/C everywhere. Remember that Cuba is under a heavy sanctions, so while some places will have A/C, most other places will not. Also, while some locals will speak English, it might be good to brush up on a tiny bit of basic Spanish.
Don’t- Expect your U.S. cell phone to work or having internet everywhere. I traveled with a Verizon phone and was able to get 3G here and there with it. However, check with your cell phone provider before traveling to Cuba. Some of the U.S. providers that work in Cuba can charge up to $2/MB of data. WiFi was also largely unavailable, except for a few various hotspots throughout Havana-- be warned, you will need to purchase a pre-paid card to access those.
Do- Enjoy the opportunity to disconnect and live life at a slower pace while in Cuba. You will notice that most people aren’t on their phones, but instead are chatting. Things do run a little slower, a little calmer in Havana. You won’t see a traffic jam, or even hear loud honking noises.
Do- While we are talking about relaxing, do take the opportunity to stroll along the Malécon, the city’s ocean front esplanade where Havana Bay and the Gulf of Mexico meet. There you will see locals fishing and largely just hanging out.
Do- Go visit the Christ of Havana statue. For one, the statue itself is a sight to behold, but also, it’s the best panoramic view of the city of Havana. There you will also find the Che Guevara museum of Havana, so really, you’re knocking out three things at once.
Don’t- Forget to negotiate any rates for services upfront. If you plan on taking a Cuban classic car as a taxi, or for a city tour, it's best to figure out how much the fare will run you before you embark on the journey. The same goes for pedi-cab or a traditional (yellow) taxi. I paid 30 C.U.Cs per hour during a classic car city tour and was able to customize it to the things I wanted to see, and how much money I wanted to spend. Don't forget to tip as well-- 10% goes a long way for the locals.
Don’t- Forget to shop! There are amazing stores near the port and scattered throughout town. I bought my dad a typical guayabera shirt, and a few posters. There are plenty of opportunities for souvenir buying when strolling through town. Prices are reasonable and merchants open to haggling.
Bonus - Go visit the U.S. Embassy. Not so much for the building itself, but for the flag poles in front of it. Ask a local to explain to you the story behind it! It will fascinate you.